šŸ’” Mark Lynch - Co-Founder of Learnosity

Founder Focus #15

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This week, weā€™re joined by Mark Lynch, an Irish founder who took a leap from Sydney's consulting world to co-founding Learnosity, a cutting-edge platform powering digital assessments for over 40 million learners worldwide.

From firing their biggest client at the time so they could focus on the Learnosity product to scaling a company with offices in Sydney, Dublin, and New York with 200+ employees and 700 customers, Markā€™s journey is nothing short of remarkable.

Now, with Learnosity pushing the boundaries of AI in education, Mark is on a mission to transform how teachers assess and students learn.

In an insightful interview, Mark shares:

  • How boldly firing his biggest client became the best move for Learnosityā€™s growth. šŸ”„

  • Navigating the challenges of building a global company while staying true to his Irish roots. šŸŒ

  • How AI-powered tools like Feedback Aide are shaping the future of edtech. šŸ¤–

  • Candid lessons from his entrepreneurial journey and advice for Irish founders looking to make their mark globally. šŸ’”

Grab a cup of tea and enjoy! ā˜•ļø

Mark Lynch Snapshot šŸ¤³

From - Dublin

Living šŸ‡¦šŸ‡ŗ - Sydney

Linkedin šŸ¤ - Mark Lynch

Learners - 40 million+

Website šŸ’»ļø - Learnosity

Founded šŸ“† - 2007

Employees šŸ‘¦ - 220+

Customers - 700+

Can you share your background and how your journey led to co-founding Learnosity?

I'm originally from Ireland and came to Sydney in 2000 on a working holiday visa, intending to stay for a year. I ended up getting a five-week contract with Ernst & Young, which turned into five years, and during that time, I met my wife, and we had two kids.

My journey with Learnosity began after I reconnected with my Co-Founder, Gavin Cooney, who is also from Ireland. We started by consulting, but over time, our work evolved into what became Learnosity. We went from side projects and consulting work to a full-time commitment, which we've maintained over the last 20 years. Until 2013 Gavinā€™s ā€œofficeā€ was the shed in the back garden of his parentsā€™ house in Drogheda.

Learnosity has expanded across several countries since its inception. What were your most significant milestones as you scaled the company globally?

There have been several key milestones. One major turning point was transitioning from consulting work to focusing on product development. It was a big decision for us, especially when we let go of our biggest consulting client, which was over 50% of our revenue then.

That decision felt like burning the bridge behind us, but it allowed us to fully commit to building a product that could scale:

Another significant milestone was our expansion into the U.S. market, which involved significant investment, travel, and relationship-building. That market shift was critical, especially as we started engaging with large global companies like Pearson.

The AI-powered Feedback Aide tool is a major development for Learnosity. How does it support educators, and what role do you see AI playing in the future of edtech?

Feedback Aide is designed to use AI to accelerate one of the most time-consuming tasks for educators: grading and providing feedback. Research shows timely, high-quality feedback is one of the most effective ways to help students learn. Feedback Aide processes essays, provides contextualised feedback, and allows teachers to review and send it out faster, saving them significant time.

Looking forward, AI is a natural evolution of what we do at Learnosity. Weā€™ve always aimed to apply technology in practical ways to improve education, and AI helps us streamline processes that have traditionally been labour-intensive, like grading or creating accessible content.

Having founded Learnosity in Sydney, what was it like building a global company with roots in Ireland? What challenges did you face as an Irish entrepreneur working abroad?

The biggest challenge was time zones. We started with Gavin in Ireland and me in Australia, which meant working many late nights and early mornings. When we expanded into the U.S., that added a third, even more challenging time zone.

It required a lot of travel and relationship-building, which couldnā€™t be done remotely. However, being Irish abroad also has advantagesā€”people tend to be more open to conversation, which helps build rapport in different markets. A picture of Mark on the grind in 2017:

Irish entrepreneurs have a strong reputation in the global tech scene. What do you think sets Irish founders apart, particularly when working abroad?

Irish founders are known for their work ethic and adaptability. Growing up, it was common for people to leave Ireland to find work abroad, which gave us a broader worldview.

That exposure to different cultures and markets helps when scaling a global business. Additionally, we tend not to take things for granted and are willing to put in the hard work. We also bring a certain humility and curiosity, which helps build relationships and understand different perspectives.

Learnosity has achieved significant success, even being ranked 16th on TIME Magazineā€™s list of Worldā€™s Top Edtech Companies. What has been the secret to maintaining this level of innovation and growth over the years?

It's been about staying true to our mission: advancing education through best-in-class technology. Weā€™ve always been focused on solving real-world problems in education. Our valuesā€”doing the right thing, aiming higher, and believing success is better when sharedā€”have kept us grounded.

We also maintain a close connection with our users, constantly seeking feedback to improve our products. Innovation isnā€™t just about chasing the latest tech trend; it's about understanding what educators and learners need and finding ways to make their work more accessible and more effective.

In 2021, Learnosity acquired Questionmark. What role has strategic acquisition played in your companyā€™s growth, and how has it helped you scale your operations?

The acquisition of Questionmark in 2021 was significant for us. It expanded our reach into the corporate space in the states, allowing us to serve not just the K-12 and higher education sectors but also corporate training and certification.

ā

The various integrations took time, especially given the challenges of COVID-19, but it was a major step in our strategy to scale. We nearly doubled our team and gained valuable expertise, strengthening our ability to innovate in both the educational and corporate markets.

Reflecting on your career so far, what advice would you give to aspiring Irish entrepreneurs, particularly those looking to innovate in the edtech space?

First, focus on solving real-world problems. Too often, startups chase technology for the sake of it, but the key is to identify valuable problems and work on solving those. Also, be prepared for a long journeyā€”thereā€™s no overnight success. Itā€™s a balance of being flexible in some areas and stubborn in others.

Donā€™t be afraid to pivot when needed, but stay committed to your core values and vision. And most importantly, build strong relationships. Business is about people; those relationships will be crucial as you grow.

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